Male athletes are dominating women’s high school track and field events in Connecticut.

Yes. You heard that right.

Two high school male athletes who identify as female have won 15 women’s track championship titles that were once held by nine different girls in the state of Connecticut. Female athletes are being robbed of athletic opportunities, dreams of competing at the next level, and even potential scholarships.

Thankfully, female athletes like Selina Soule and Alanna Smith are taking a public stand against the harmful policies that are allowing this to happen.

Take the 2019 Indoor Track & Field State Championships for example. Selina finished one place away from qualifying for finals, and two places away from qualifying for the New England Regional Championships in the 55-meter dash. The first and second place spots in that race were taken by two male athletes. But this wasn’t just a disappointment for Selina. It meant that she had to sit on the sidelines instead of competing in front of college scouts!

And then there’s Alanna Smith.

Alanna won the 400-meter dash at the 74th New England Interscholastic Track and Field Championships this past June … as a freshman. She has a promising track career in front of her. Fortunately, no male athletes raced in the 400m dash at that meet – though a male athlete did compete in, and win, the 200m dash. Alanna knows that being forced to compete against male athletes could threaten her opportunities to win championship titles and even earn scholarships.

That’s why Selina and Alanna are taking a stand against policies that allow men to compete in women’s sports. With the help of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), they filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.

Now, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights has agreed to investigate the situation in Connecticut. The outcome of the investigation could impact young women nationwide.

The federal government’s decision to investigate the situation in Connecticut is an important first step toward justice for girls like Selina and Alanna. But activists will oppose efforts to protect #FairPlay at every turn. If they get their way, female athletes will soon end up on the sidelines of their own sports.

Our government needs to know that you support legislative and executive action to protect female athletes from being forced to compete against males. The future of these young women—girls like your daughters and granddaughters—is at stake.

You can make your voice heard. Sign the petition today to encourage the Trump Administration and Members of Congress to safeguard the athletic and academic futures of young women across the country.

I am standing with Alanna, Selina, and all female student athletes nationwide.

I am asking the Trump Administration to provide clear guidelines through the Department of Education that “sex” does not mean “gender identity” in female athletics.

I am asking Congress to support legislation that protects female athletes.